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That timing sounds about right. I know that all Historics had aluminum in 2003, but i know that at least some if not all 2002 models also had them.
You can't one by looking at it, but you'll know the instant that you pick one up. I'm so used to handling the lightweight tailpieces that when come across an old zinc tailpiece, it feels like its made of lead.
You can weigh the tail piece and tell what it is made from. The aluminum tail piece weighs something like 1.1 ounces and the zinc one weighs like 3.5 ounces or something similar. It's been years since I weighed them, so going on memory.